About me
Born in 1977 in Bern and raised in the Bernese Oberland in Saanenland, David Bittner studied biology at the University of Bern and obtained his doctorate in 2009. His research focused on the evolution of whitefish species and the management of trout. In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious Bern Environmental Research Prize for his research. Since 2002 the adventurer has been traveling to Alaska whenever possible to observe the Kodiak and coastal brown bears in the wild and to document his experiences with photos and films. With a lot of patience, empathy and appropriate behavior, the biologist wins the trust of individual wild bears. Bears full of character such as Luna, Balu, Bruno and Joya have grown close to his heart. With his science, education, books and the medium of film, the researcher is committed to the protection and preservation of these unique animals.
In winter 2010 the Natural History Museum of the Burgergemeinde Bern dedicated a special exhibition to him – David & Kodiak – and German and Swiss television showed his 2007 film ‘Unter Bären’ – Life with Wild Grizzlies in Alaska, which he produced together with Jean-Luc Bodmer. In the fall of 2009 was his first book ‘The Bear – Between Wilderness and Cultural Landscape’ published by Stämpfli Verlag. In the summer of 2009 he was accompanied by the well-known English cameraman Richard Terry, who shot a portrait of the Swiss with ‘his’ bears for Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. This documentary was broadcast worldwide. In cooperation with the Bernese filmmaker Roman Droux, David Bittner produced a second film from the same material in 2011, which was released on DVD ‘David Bittner – Among Bears’ – face to face with wild grizzlies . Since 2010 David has made it possible for a few privileged people to observe the coastal brown bears of Katmai National Park in the spectacular wilderness of Alaska, for which he also helps Background tours works together and organizes individual trips. In Switzerland, the Bernese is now known as the bear researcher and he is often reported on (see media ). With his committed and authentic manner, the sought-after speaker also acts as a brand ambassador. David Bittner has been working with Transa for several years and now other partners such as Nikon, the Arosa Bear Sanctuary and 4Pfoten have been added (see partner ).
In 2015, in collaboration with Ursula Amstutz, he published his second bear book‘David Bittner – Among Bears in Alaska‘ with AT Verlag, which portrays some bears full of character. In 2012, SRF produced a three-part series about David Bittner as part of the series ‘Top Shots’, followed by a documentary about the return of large carnivores in 2014. In 2010 and 2016 he delighted with lectures about his bear experiences together with the renowned organizer ‘ Explora ‘Over 30,000 visitors on two German-speaking Switzerland tours. The most extensive film to date came in 2019 The bear in me ‘in the cinemas (produced by Roman Droux).
After completing his doctorate, the biologist worked as a research assistant at the EAWAG water research institute at ETH Zurich and the University of Bern. From 2012 to 2021, the fisheries biologist worked for the Fisheries Administration of the Canton of Aargau. He has been Managing Director of the Swiss Fishing Association since 2021. But he still dreams of his own research project with ‘his’ bears, for which he lacks the financial support.
David lives with his wife Cécile and their daughters Léonie and Rowena in the countryside in Schlossrued, AG.
